Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU-IPFW Post-Game Quotes
December 06, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
BGSU COACH Curt Miller
"It is exciting that I have a group that enjoys playing up-tempo. We have multiple players that can put the ball in the basket and, as we try to become a better defensive team with this young group, it's imperative for us to score some points. We certainly have some work to do and some holes to fill defensively. We're not where we want to be. But, if we can score the way we have been scoring, if we can keep the game up-tempo, we can hide some defensive mistakes while we try to shore up some things."
"We're very excited to be 4-2 at this point. We've played six games in a hurry, but now we have about a day and a half off before we get back to the practice floor. We only have two games left before Christmas, so this is a time where this team has got to step forward and get better, to add some things and take it to the next level."
"We needed to survive through the first six games. I feel like we've played five solid games in a row now. Even though we lost the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi game, we put ourselves in a position to win that game on the road. I feel like, since the Youngstown State game, we've played very well. We just need to continue to get better, and we're still not where we want to be defensively."
(On the Falcons' success at the free-throw line)
"We were in the top-30 in the nation in free-throw percentage, and I think we have capable shooters again this year. But, we have to get there, and we have to be a little more consistent. We praised them at halftime for getting to the line 18 times (in the first half), but we talked about getting there just as much in the second half. We weren't aggressive off the dribble, (partially due to) their zone, and we only got there four times in the second half. If we can find ways to get to the line, we're gonna be a good team, because we're gonna make a lot of our foul shots."
"We knew (IPFW) had talented players who could step up and score, in (Amy) Gearlds, (Verea) Bibbs and (Courtney) Nicley. We had a goal to keep Gearlds and Nicley to a combined 35 points, and we absolutely shut Nicley out. She didn't make a field goal. So, we reached that goal, but I'm disappointed that we have let one or two opponent kids get hot and score big throughout the year so far. But, (our kids) have done what I've asked. A big statistic today is, if you take out their two top scorers, they went 4-for-28 from the floor. We knew a couple of kids might score. We knew Amy Gearlds would get her points -- she is a great offensive player. But, we needed to keep from letting any of their players have a career night, or letting a role player get hot and score double digits."
"We have to keep from letting one player keep her team in the game against us. That is a concern through the first six games."
(On the play of Kelly Kapferer)
"She was great. She had a big week. Kelly was a little out of synch in the early part of the season, and I think you're seeing it all click again. Kelly looks like the Kelly of old, and I feel very comfortable about bringing Kelly and Casey McDowell off the bench. They're both veteran players -- Kelly's a fourth-year college kid, and Casey's in her third year of college -- both had very good weeks for us, and I am very comfortable bringing both of them off the bench."
(On BGSU's shooting success)
"A big difference (between this year and the last two years) is, while we lived and diesd at the arc in the past, we forced some 'threes' in the past two years. I think we're taking open 'threes' this year, and not forcing. And, we realize that, with another swing, maybe someone has an easier 'three.' Or, we're taking them in transition and they're not as contested. I think a big difference in our
percentages comes down to the fact that we're taking better shots."
"Lindsay Austin averaged 15 points and nine assists for the week, and that 15-to-1 assist-turnover ratio (at Bucknell) is outstanding."
BGSU SENIOR Stefanie Wenzel
"We are very balanced this year. Our post players are doing very well, so (opponents) can't really deny the wings. If they double down in the posts, we can get kick-outs to the wing for open 'threes'. With our balance, they have to respect everyone."
"I think we're feeling pretty confident, offensively, right now. Everyone is shooting the ball very well, and hopefully, we can keep it up."
(On the rebounding of her younger teammates)
"It helps everyone. We can count on our post players to get rebounds and kick-outs for easy shots. We're able to run the floor more easily and get more fast-break points -- a lot more than last year. It just makes the game more fun."
BGSU FRESHMAN Ali Mann
"We started out the game pounding the ball into the post. So, they had to respect our post game, and then we had open 'threes' that we were able to knock down."
"It will be nice to have a week off, and to get back to basics and work on some stuff. Our offense is outstanding right now, but we need to pick up the defense."
IPFW COACH BRUCE PATTERSON
(On the play of IPFW's Verea Bibbs)
"We have a tendency as a team to become a little perimeter-oriented, and to take shots too fast. I thought we did that in the first half, and at halftime we talked about getting the ball down into 'V's hands, and giving her a chance to work. In the second half, we responded to that very well."
(On BG's zone)
"We knew BGSU would play some zone, because we saw it on tape. The zone has some effect on us, because of our lack of depth due to some injuries. We are down some outside shooters. (When you play against) teams that have a deficiency, you go after it. Curt's a great coach, and we knew he'd go after our deficiency."
"We knew they were great shooters. ... It really doesn't start with the three-pointer, it starts with people stepping off of (the shooters) when there's a little bit of penetration. Their number 12 (Lindsay Austin) did a great job of getting a start on it, and then she would kick it and (Stefanie Wenzel) was left open ... I felt we did an awful job on the wings of staying with our people."
"Plus, I'll give Bowling Green a lot of credit. They've got shooters outside. Curt has recruited a bunch of kids that can catch it and release it quickly, and I just thought they did a great job today."
"It's a shame that Amy Gearlds has to play 39 minutes today. That's criminal, but that's a result of all the injuries we've suffered. We've got three of our best shooters sitting on the sidelines, and it's hard for them to score from there. Amy is the only legitimate threat we had from the outside, and to keep them from packing that zone in, we had to find a way to get it into her hands. Heck, Amy's suffering from a significant injury, too. Every time she goes down, I take a deep breath, because I'm not sure if she's going to get back up."
